In Memoriam

This evening, 7:42PM Eastern Time, Walter Cronkite passed away at the age of 92 after a long battle with cerebral vascular disease. Often regarded as the most trusted man in America, Cronkite delivered the news from 1937 to 1980, covering everything from World War II to the Iran hostage crisis.

In this era where to break news first is more important than to break news accurately, we forget how Cronkite waited until all the reports were gathered before giving the news to America straightforward, accurately, and concisely. Imagine how today's CNN or MSNBC would have covered the JFK assassination, and compare it how Cronkite presented it. It is that sort of journalism that creates an intelligent and informed democracy. For journalistic integrity, Walter Cronkite remains the gold standard. If we desire to have that back, then our newsmedia should remember Walter's words; that their "job is only to hold up the mirror - to tell and show the public what has happened."

We owe it to Walter Cronkite to strive for truth and accuracy above all, in all things. And though this blog primarily contains opinion, I will always try to be as accurate as I can, and as truthful as I can be. It's the least I can do for Uncle Walter.

And that's the way it is, July 17, 2009. Good night, Walter. You will be missed.